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Health and Safety Abroad

Pre-departure Orientation. Health and Safety Abroad. International Student Exchange Office, University of Toronto. Pre-departure Orientation. Introduction. Who We Are Objectives of Orientation Goals of Going Overseas. Pre-departure Orientation. Introduction. Who We Are ISXO

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Health and Safety Abroad

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  1. Pre-departure Orientation Health and Safety Abroad International Student Exchange Office, University of Toronto

  2. Pre-departure Orientation Introduction • Who We Are • Objectives of Orientation • Goals of Going Overseas

  3. Pre-departure Orientation Introduction • Who We Are • ISXO • Safety Abroad Advisor • Student expectations of workshop

  4. Pre-departure Orientation Introduction • Objectives of Orientation • Legal responsibility • Share in health and safety risk assessment • Students participate fully in risk management

  5. Pre-departure Orientation Introduction— Shared Responsibility University Choose sites carefully; provide info regarding risk; provide on-going support Evaluate risk; make decisions regarding participation; employ sound safety practices; report problems Students

  6. Pre-departure Orientation Getting There • Waivers • Registering on-line • Budget and Money Issues • Health Issues • Travel Documents

  7. Pre-departure Orientation Getting There • Waivers • Participation is optional; waivers are mandatory • Take all waivers, T.O.P. home and read carefully • Contact us if you have any concerns • Bring copy of DFAIT country specific advisory with you when you return health & safety form • Emergency Info will be forwarded to DFAIT and shared with UofT offices as needed

  8. Pre-departure Orientation Registering On-Line

  9. Pre-departure Orientation Registering On-Line

  10. Pre-departure Orientation Registering On-Line

  11. Pre-departure Orientation Getting There– Preparing To Go • Research prior to going overseas can minimize problems overseas • PDO is general review; up to you to do the research on specifics • FAC has website containing information regarding health and safety for over 220 travel destinations http://voyage.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/destinations/menu_e.htm • ISC Work/ Study Abroad Library has books, magazines related to cross-culture travel

  12. Pre-departure Orientation Getting There– Money Issues • Financing Your Sojourn • Bursary Help • OSAP • Power of Attorney • Scholarships • Fundraising • TALK TO STUDENTS CURRENTLY LIVINGIN HOST AREA

  13. Pre-departure Orientation Getting There– Money Issues • Accessing Money • Consider all options that are available to you • Plan on at least two backup plans for accessing money • Bring (if possible) local currency • Have access to an emergency fund

  14. Pre-departure Orientation Getting There– Money Issues

  15. Pre-departure Orientation Getting There– Money Issues • Safety Tips • Avoid unregulated money vendors • Fanny Packs • Money Belts • Carry Small Currency (separate from money belt) • The ‘Fake Wallet’ • Don’t leave your wallet with a stranger! (Even another Canadian) • If available, store valuables in hotel safe

  16. Pre-departure Orientation Getting There– Health Issues • OHIP Extension • Required for students planning on being outside Ontario for more then 153 days in a 12 month period • Students may apply for Continuous OHIP for work, study and vacation (limits apply) • Extension required for many supplementary health plans

  17. Pre-departure Orientation Getting There– Health Issues • Mandatory Supplementary Health Insurance • Compare various policies • Include coverage for pre-existing medical conditions and for all aspects of your sojourn • Easy to extend and make claims • War, SARS • Know How To Use Insurance

  18. Pre-departure Orientation Getting There– Health Issues • Mandatory Supplementary Health Insurance • Repatriation of remains • Emergency room expenses • Med-Evac • Deductibles • Up-front coverage

  19. Pre-departure Orientation Getting There– Health Issues • Mandatory Supplementary Health Insurance • IT IS UP TO YOU TO DECIDE WHAT IS SUFFICIENT HEALTH INSURANCE • Insurance may not cover all aspects (eg. long-term disability, natural disasters) • U of T is NOT liable for any limitations in insurance

  20. Pre-departure Orientation Getting There– Health Issues • Immunization and Travel Care • Visit all health (mental/ physical) care providers that are currently providing you care • Discuss accessing medical info while away • Evaluate any medical conditions and how they might affect trip • Consult with travel clinic well in advance of travel • Visit FAC website for additional information

  21. Pre-departure Orientation Getting There– Health Issues • For detailed travel health advice, visit a Travel Clinic • Appointment for UofT Travel Clinic should be made 3 months in advance (more for some destinations) • Fees waived with ISXO letter • Costs for immunizations can vary widely

  22. Pre-departure Orientation Getting There– Travel Documents • Passport • Most destinations require passport valid 6 months beyond the expected date of return • For Canadian passport application, visit www.ppt.gc.ca • Make copies of passport photo and ID page; consider making electronic copy and emailing it to yourself • Tape copy to inside of all luggage

  23. Pre-departure Orientation Getting There– Travel Documents • Visa • Contact Consulate of host country for details concerning visa • Obtaining correct documentation to work/ study is the full responsibility of the participant • Understand what your visa entitles you to do

  24. Pre-departure Orientation Getting There– Travel Documents • Dual Citizenship/ National of Host Country • Having citizenship of host country does not necessarily mean that you can work/ study in that country • Travelling to a country to which you are either citizen or considered a national may include additional obligations such as military duty, special tax • Travel on Canadian passport

  25. Pre-departure Orientation Getting There– Travel Documents • Permanent Resident • Landed residents residing outside of Canada run the risk of losing permanent resident status • Apply for a Returning Residence Permit in advance of departure

  26. Pre-departure Orientation Getting There– Travel Documents • Preparing documents for travel • Make copies of all essential documents • Passport, visa • Prescriptions (medical, eye wear) • Introductory letters • Important numbers • Travellers cheques • Leave copy at home and have duplicates with you

  27. Pre-departure Orientation Getting There– Emergency Contact • Emergency Contact • Contact should clearly understand and agree to responsibilities • Contact should be someone you trust with financial/ personal information • Contact should be good in emergency situations • Leave copies of important documents and travel itinerary • Emergency contact should be your contact back home

  28. Pre-departure Orientation Getting There– Packing • Luggage • Pack lightly • Carry-on luggage kept to minimum • If needed, consider shipping items in advance • Separate essential belongings in the event that one piece of luggage is stolen • All luggage should be carried keepingone hand free

  29. Pre-departure Orientation Getting There– Packing • Carrying Medicine • Keep all medicine in original containers • Ensure that all medicine is legal in country that you are traveling to • Bring copy of prescription and if possible also bring doctor’s note • If you need to carry syringe bring doctor’s certificate

  30. Pre-departure Orientation Getting There– Packing • What to Pack • Mosquito repellent, sun tan lotion • Items from home • Small gifts/ tokens • Basic medical kit • Conservative clothes that match the culture • PRE-DEPARTURE MANUAL

  31. Pre-departure Orientation Getting There– Packing • What NOT to Pack • Things of value (monetary or sentimental) that you cannot afford to lose • Flashy clothes items, items that mark you as a tourist • Clothes that are too casual, also indicating that you’re a tourist!

  32. Pre-departure Orientation Preparing for Life Overseas • Life as Ambassador • Researching Host Culture • Observing Local Laws • Drugs • Understanding Culture

  33. Pre-departure Orientation Preparing for Life Overseas • Life as Ambassador • Knowledge of Canadian culture • Familiarity of host culture • U of T Code of Student Conduct

  34. Pre-departure Orientation Preparing for Life Overseas • Researching Host Culture • Do classes start on time? • How formal are the relations between professors and students? • What is an appropriate gift? • How far apart do people generally stand? Does it change between persons of opposite gender?

  35. Pre-departure Orientation Preparing for Life Overseas • Researching Host Culture • Try to familiarize yourself with the food before leaving • Know dining customs (Do you finish your plate or not)

  36. Pre-departure Orientation Preparing for Life Overseas • Researching Host Culture • Academic or work environment • ISC library • Talk to past participants • Flora and Fauna • Fear of animals more of a risk then actual risk • Take local warnings seriously!

  37. Pre-departure Orientation Preparing for Life Overseas • Observing Local Laws • You are subject to the laws of your host country • Caution about how and what information you communicate; never admit wrong doing or sign anything • Right to access Consular Representative; request appropriately • Canadian Consulate will keep all information in strict confidence

  38. Pre-departure Orientation Preparing for Life Overseas • Most tourists are arrested for- • Drug Violation • Possession of Firearms • Photography • Purchasing Antiques

  39. Pre-departure Orientation Preparing for Life Overseas • Drugs • Rules governing drugs may differ for locals and tourists • Drugs available in other countries may be stronger then what you are used to; may be more dangerous • Careful while crossing border

  40. Pre-departure Orientation Preparing for Life Overseas • Sex and Dating • Bring condoms with you! • Remember that etiquette surrounding gender can be completely different from what you are used to • HIV/ AIDS is more prevalent in many countries • Safe sex practices reduces chance of infection • If you are required to have HIV test, be prepared

  41. Pre-departure Orientation Preparing for Life Overseas– Understanding Culture “Culture is Communication”-- Edward Hall • Direct versus Indirect • Reading between the lines • Personal space

  42. Pre-departure Orientation Challenges Overseas • Culture Shock • Culture Clash • Issues of Diversity • Opportunistic Crime • Sexual Harassment • Traffic Accidents • Site Specifics

  43. Pre-departure Orientation Challenges Overseas– Culture Shock • 4 Stages • Euphoria • Anxiety • Rejection • Adjustment

  44. Pre-departure Orientation Challenges Overseas– When Culture’s Clash “One barely has time to participate in the host society and not nearly enough time to become a prophetic voice for social change.” --Dr. Brian Harley (Transitions Abroad, Jan/ Feb 2001 vol. xxiv, No. 4)

  45. Pre-departure Orientation Challenges Overseas– Stress • Common signs of stress feelings of loneliness, sadness, feelings of isolation and exhibiting certain behaviour such as excessive drinking, smoking • Learn ways to manage stress • Explore your new home • Become involved • Adopt techniques used at home for overseas • Maintain a sense of humour!

  46. Pre-departure Orientation Challenges Overseas— Stress • Leaving Loved Ones Behind • Arrange to keep in touch with friends and family at home • Be careful not to live in two places at once

  47. Pre-departure Orientation Challenges Overseas—Diversity • Race and Ethnicity • Dealing with racism abroad • Assumptions about what makes a “Canadian” • Fitting into a culture of similar heritage • Being a visible minority for the first time • Absence of multiculturalism

  48. Pre-departure Orientation Challenges Overseas—Diversity • Gender Conflict • Understand customary etiquette between genders • Consider how you will deal with aggressive situations • When in a new area, monitor to see if other women are around • If confronted with verbal hostility, walk within hearing range of elderly/ local women

  49. Pre-departure Orientation Challenges Overseas—Diversity • Queer Issues • Coming Out for the first time • Coming out again • Know the legal/ social implications of homosexuality • Consider how you will deal with homophobia

  50. Pre-departure Orientation Challenges Overseas • Opportunistic Crime • Foreigners tend to be at greater risk to many opportunistic crimes; criminals simply have more opportunity to commit crimes against travellers • Be cautious particularly in crowded and tourist areas • Act confidently; avoid being over confident • Beware false sense of anonymity or belonging • U of T does cover lost of students personal property

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